Settled Unsettlements
Constitutional Abeyances in the Crisis Governance of the European Union
Published on 31. May 2026
Book
Hardback
136 pages
978-1-78821-931-0 (ISBN)
Description
Constitutional ambiguity has been an important enabler of European integration. Achim Hurrelmann argues that although this can cause problems, it often remains the best option for holding the European Union together and has shaped how the EU has responded to its recent crises.
This book reinterprets European integration using the concept of "constitutional abeyances" - originally developed by Michael Foley and not previously applied to the EU - which are unresolved issues that political elites avoid politicizing to prevent conflict. Hurrelmann shows that it is a concept that can help us better understand the EU: what it is, how it works, why it sometimes does not work, and how it responds when crises hit. He shows that, although these strategies may be criticized, they ultimately have contributed to the EU's resilience in face of the crises over the euro, migration and rule of law.
This book reinterprets European integration using the concept of "constitutional abeyances" - originally developed by Michael Foley and not previously applied to the EU - which are unresolved issues that political elites avoid politicizing to prevent conflict. Hurrelmann shows that it is a concept that can help us better understand the EU: what it is, how it works, why it sometimes does not work, and how it responds when crises hit. He shows that, although these strategies may be criticized, they ultimately have contributed to the EU's resilience in face of the crises over the euro, migration and rule of law.
Reviews / Votes
In his innovative book, Achim Hurrelmann elaborates the concept of conflict abeyance as a strategy for coping with fundamental constitutional disputes. By explaining its effectiveness and limits in European politics, the author advances our understanding of European integration, the management of crises and the resilience of the European Union. -- Arthur Benz, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Technische Universitaet Darmstadt This excellent book offers path-breaking insights into European Union governance and institution-building. Achim Hurrelmann demonstrates convincingly how the EU manages to remain resilient in the wake of the many crises it continues to encounter. A must-read for anyone wishing to make sense of the ongoing process of European integration. -- Amy Verdun, Professor of Political Science, University of VictoriaMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Edinburgh University Press
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 162 mm
Width: 241 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
364 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78821-931-0 (9781788219310)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Achim Hurrelmann is Professor of Political Science and Co-Director of the Centre for European Studies at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. His recent books include European Union Governance and Policy-Making: A Canadian Perspective (co-editor) (2nd edition, 2023) and The Legitimacy of Regional Integration in Europe and the Americas (co-editor) (2015).
Content
Introduction: rethinking European integration from a constitutional abeyance perspective
1. The concept of constitutional abeyances
2. Constitutional abeyances in the history of European integration
3. Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the euro crisis
4. EU border and asylum governance and the refugee crisis
5. EU citizenship and democratic values and the rule of law crisis
6. Constitutional abeyances in EU crisis governance
Concluding reflections: can the EU survive as an unidentified political object?
1. The concept of constitutional abeyances
2. Constitutional abeyances in the history of European integration
3. Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the euro crisis
4. EU border and asylum governance and the refugee crisis
5. EU citizenship and democratic values and the rule of law crisis
6. Constitutional abeyances in EU crisis governance
Concluding reflections: can the EU survive as an unidentified political object?